When it first becomes apparent that an elderly loved one is no longer able to live on their own, many families try to remain committed to providing the extra assistance and care themselves. Sometimes, this involves moving your loved one into your home, or spending a portion of each day with your aging relative. However, there often comes a time when caregivers realize that they are getting in over their heads. Sometimes this can happen as the result of your loved one’s declining health, added family or career stress on you, or perhaps an incident which has made you realize that your loved one’s current living condition is no longer safe for them.

Running out of money is a real possibility for some who have made senior living communities their home. The money runs out for a number of reasons and common among them are: longevity (the average length of stay in assisted living is 2.5 years but many live there significantly longer) increasing rental costs, increasing costs in senior health care services and a need for more assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) than before. There are others, but these situations just mentioned place an immediate draw on private funds.

Not sure what senior living and care solution is best for your loved one? Start making sense of your options.

Have you noticed lately that your aging loved one may be in need of a little extra care? If so, you're probably in the process of deciding which option is best. Should you get in-home care or should you consider assisted living? This decision often is a confusing and overwhelming process, especially when money is a factor. It's difficult to see what you have budgeted and what you can afford.

What makes a house a home? It's not the fancy furniture or shiny chandeliers, but the family who gathers there. At our senior living communities, our staff members are one of the main reasons why our residents feel so at home! Not only do they create a warm family atmosphere, they also understand the challenges faced by families caring for older adults. By fostering caring relationships, staff play an essential role in helping our residents navigate the journey of aging - from the very first visit, to the day they move into our community and every day after that! Read our "Meet the Family" spotlight below to see how Cathy Breslford makes our residents' home such a special place....

An unfortunate reality of caring for aging loved ones is that we are often the ones called upon to deliver bad news and support them as they cope with it. Those that must do so often feel inadequate to the task. There is no easy way to share such information, but there are some guiding principles. When you are the one to talk to an aging loved one about something you know will upset them, even as it upsets you, where do you begin the conversation?

Deciding between home care and assisted living can be a confusing, stressful, and time-consuming process. As a caregiver, you naturally want what is best for your aging relative, but you also know that there are limits to what you can do – both physically, and financially. Many caregivers considering assisted living report that their loved ones are reluctant to leave their home, or to be away from family members. All of these factors are what make this decision so very personal.

Cost is among the biggest concerns for families providing eldercare for a loved one. Indeed, cost can sometimes be a roadblock standing in the way of you providing the best possible situation for a relative in need. While there may be some families out there that are able to cover assisted-living costs without too much of a financial impact, for others, figuring out what to do next will require some serious number crunching. One of the questions we hear most frequently is "How can I find the best senior living community for my budget?" To help answer this, we have come up with a step-by-step guide to get you started. Follow the recommendations on this page, and you'll begin to have a clearer picture of what assisted-living will actually cost you.

What makes a house a home? It's not the fancy furniture or shiny chandeliers, but the family who gathers there. At our UMH senior living communities, it’s not only staff that create a warm family atmosphere, but also our devoted and caring volunteers! By fostering caring relationships and connecting with our residents, volunteers play an essential role in helping our residents navigate the journey of aging. This month, in honor of National Volunteer Week, (April 23rd – April 29th), we are highlighting one of our very special volunteers! Read our "Meet the Family" spotlight below to learn more about Joyce Stobierski's experience volunteering at UMH…

Lois Selnau Mother, Educator, Historian Lois Brigham was born in Burlington, Vermont, where she spent her most of her youth until attending the prestigious Middlebury College to study Nutrition Science. A proud graduate of the class of 1946, she has served as the Class Agent from 1996 to the present, strengthening alumni ties. After an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Dietetics, she worked at the Veteran’s Administration in Connecticut in 1948, tending to the dietary needs of veterans. It was shortly thereafter she met and married her husband Elmer Selnau in 1953. The couple settled in Farmington and raised their two sons, Paul and Clark. Lois now resides at the UMH award-winning senior living community, Middlewoods of Farmington, enjoying the many activities and opportunities the community has to offer.

Caregivers often report feeling frustrated as they try to determine the true cost of assisted living for their loved one. There may be a price list detailing the different costs of, say a studio, a one bedroom, or two bedroom apartment, but that doesn't always tell the whole story. What about meals? What about cleaning services? Will these added expenses combine to price you out of something you thought was affordable?

Life Still Revolves around the Kitchen Table At UMH communities, we understand how important meals and mealtime are for our residents; often they are the highlight of each day. Meals are a time to meet up and socialize with friends, a time to talk with dining staff, and get caught up on what’s new and exciting, and a time to choose from a variety of menu items that are both nutritional and nurturing. For those on a restricted diet, we offer choices so they don’t get into a food rut. No one wants to eat the same old food each day at every meal.